Sample measurement system and method of transporting racks

ABSTRACT

A sample measurement system and method of transporting of racks are provided that collectively supply the consumables to the sample measurement units. The sample measurement system includes: sample measurement units that perform measurement on samples by using consumables; a setting part in which a user sets consumable racks housing the consumables; a first transport path that supplies the consumable racks set in the setting part to one of the sample measurement units; a collector that is arranged adjacent to the setting part and that collects empty racks that are emptied after being transported to at least one of the sample measurement units; and a second transport path that transports the empty racks to the collector.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP2019/008301, filed on Mar. 4, 2019, which claimspriority based on the Article 8 of Patent Cooperation Treaty from priorJapanese Patent Application No. 2018-065605, filed on Mar. 29, 2018, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to a sample measurement system including samplemeasurement units that perform measurement on samples by using commonconsumables and a method of transporting racks in which racks housingthe consumables are supplied to the sample measurement units.

There has been devised a system that automatically performs measurementon samples by using a combination of sample measurement units configuredto perform measurement on the samples. An improvement in a samplemeasurement processing performance is expected by configuring such asystem as a system in which the number of sample measurement unitsconfigured to perform measurement on samples is increased to a pluralnumber.

However, the improvement in the processing performance of the systemachieved by increasing the number of sample measurement units cannot beexpected unless reagents to be used in the measurement of the samples,the samples to be measured, and the like are smoothly supplied to thesample measurement units. Accordingly, various techniques relating tohow to smoothly supply the samples, the reagents, and the like to thesample measurement units have been devised.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-27636(“Patent Literature 1”) discloses an analysis system that automaticallysupplies reagents to analysis units by using a transport line thattransports samples.

A configuration example of the analysis system described in PatentLiterature 1 is explained by using FIG. 28. FIG. 28 is a diagramillustrating a configuration example of the analysis system thatautomatically supplies the reagents to the analysis units by using thetransport line that transports the samples.

The analysis system includes two analysis units that analyze thesamples. Moreover, the analysis system includes a sample supply unit, areagent supply unit, a sample collection unit, and a reagent collectionunit. The analysis system has a function of automatically supplyingreagent containers from the reagent supply unit to the analysis units byusing a main transport line for transporting sample containers from thesample supply unit to the analysis units. The sample containers aretransported from the sample supply units to the analysis units throughthe main transport line. The reagent containers are also transported tothe analysis units through the main transport line like the samplecontainers. A retest sample transport line that transports the samplecontainers in the opposite direction to that of the main transport lineis also provided. The used reagents and the samples for which theanalysis in the analysis units are completed are transported to thesample collection unit and the reagent collection unit through the maintransport line.

When the sample measurement system including the sample measurementunits employs the configuration as illustrated in FIG. 28, there arestill following points to be improved.

In many cases, the sample measurement system uses consumables such ascuvettes or pipet tips. In order to maintain the processing performanceof the sample measurement system, it is desirable to also automaticallysupply the consumables to the sample measurement units.

Moreover, since the main transport line for transporting the samplecontainers is used to transport the reagent containers, there is a riskthat, when the number of sample measurement units are increased in thesample measurement system, the supply of reagents and samples is delayedand the processing performance of the sample measurement system cannotbe maintained.

Generally, the sample measurement units often use consumables that aredisposable members such as common cuvettes or pipet tips. Accordingly,if it is possible to achieve a system that automatically supplies theconsumables to be used in the units in the same way as the samples andthe reagents, the usability of the system is improved. However, thesupply frequency of the samples and the reagents differ from the supplyfrequency of the consumables. Accordingly, when the supplying isperformed by using the same transport line, there is a risk that supplyof one of the samples, the reagents, and the consumables is delayed andthe processing performance of the system cannot be maintained.

One or more aspects aim to achieve a sample measurement system whichincludes sample measurement units that perform measurement on samples byusing consumables and which can collectively supply the consumables tothe sample measurement units and transporting of racks in which rackshousing the consumables are supplied to the sample measurement units.

SUMMARY

A sample measurement system includes: sample measurement units thatperform measurement on samples by using consumables; a setting part inwhich a user sets consumable racks housing the consumables; a firsttransport path that supplies the consumable racks set in the settingpart to one of the sample measurement units; a collector that isarranged adjacent to the setting part and that collects empty racks thatare emptied after being transported to at least one of the samplemeasurement units; and a second transport path that transports the emptyracks to the collector.

A method of transporting racks in which consumable racks housingconsumables are supplied to sample measurement units that performmeasurement on samples by using the consumables and in which empty racksthat are emptied after being transported to at least one of the samplemeasurement units are collected from the sample measurement unit; themethod include: supplying the consumable racks housing the consumablesfrom a setting part to one of the sample measurement units, the settingpart being a part in which a user sets the consumable racks; collectingthe empty racks that are emptied after being transported to at least oneof the sample measurement units into a collector arranged adjacent tothe setting part; and transporting the empty racks to the collector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exterior diagram illustrating an example of a configurationof a sample measurement system.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of asample container, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating aconfiguration example of a sample rack housing a sample containers.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are views illustrating examples of a cuvette used inmeasurement in the sample measurement units, a consumable rack holdingcuvettes, a pipet tip, and a consumable rack holding pipet tips.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of transportpaths included in a sample measurement system.

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of aconsumable rack collector included in a sample measurement system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an outline of transport pathsfor transporting cuvettes and pipet tips separately to samplemeasurement units.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of a consumablecollection path.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration thatintegrally controls operations of functional units included in a samplemeasurement system.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an arrangement example of afunctional units and the transport paths in a sample measurement systemincluding sample measurement units.

FIG. 9 is a transparent perspective view illustrating an arrangementexample of functional units and transport paths in a sample measurementsystem including sample measurement units.

FIGS. 10A to 10D are perspective views illustrating a schematicconfiguration of the sample measurement unit.

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a measurementpart of the sample measurement unit as viewed from above.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating lids provided in upperportions of a cuvette supplier and a pipet tip supplier.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a cuvettesupplier.

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of a cuvette supplier as viewed fromthe side and FIGS. 14B and 14C are perspective views illustratingconfigurations of a swing rail and a transfer rail.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views illustrating steps in which a swing partsends out a cuvettes on a bottom surface of a second hopper.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are schematic views illustrating a configurationexample of a cuvette catch provided in an arm portion of a transferpart, FIG. 16C is a side view illustrating a configuration example of anurgent sample-tip transporter and a sample dispensing arm, and FIG. 16Dis a side view for explaining an operation of removing a pipet tipattached to a sample dispensing arm.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are perspective views illustrating a configurationexample of an urgent sample-tip transporter.

FIGS. 18A to 18C are schematic views illustrating an example of atransport path that transports the sample containers and a mechanismthat loads a sample containers from a transport path in samplemeasurement units.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view illustrating a schematic configuration of aconsumable collection path.

FIGS. 20A to 20D are perspective views illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a consumable setting unit.

FIGS. 21A to 21D are perspective views illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a sample setting unit.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration ofa sample setting unit.

FIGS. 23A to 23D are perspective views illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a sample sorting unit.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of rules for sortingsamples depending on measurement results.

FIGS. 25A to 25D are perspective views illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a reagent container holding unit.

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating an example of a mechanism that transfersthe reagent containers to the transport path in a reagent containerholding unit.

FIGS. 27A and 27B are perspective views illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a cleaning liquid holding unit.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventionalanalysis system that automatically supplies reagents to analysis unitsby using a transport line that transports samples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A sample measurement system (100) according to an aspect includes:sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b) that perform measurement on samplesby using consumables; a setting part (consumable setting unit 2,consumable rack setting part 21) in which a user sets consumable rackshousing the consumables; a first transport path (F) that supplies theconsumable racks set in the setting part (consumable setting unit 2,consumable rack setting part 21) to one of the sample measurement units(1 a, 1 b); a collector (consumable rack collector 22) that is arrangedadjacent to the setting part (consumable setting unit 2, consumable racksetting part 21) and that collects empty racks that are emptied afterbeing transported to at least one of the sample measurement units (1 a,1 b); and a second transport path (R) that transports the empty racks tothe collector (consumable rack collector 22).

According to the aforementioned configuration, the sample measurementsystem (100) transports the consumable racks housing the consumablesfrom the setting part (consumable setting unit 2, consumable racksetting part 21) to the sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b) by using thefirst transport path (F), transports the empty racks that are emptiedafter being transported to at least one of the sample measurement units(1 a, 1 b) by using the second transport path (R), and collects theempty racks into the collector (consumable rack collector 22) adjacentto the setting part (consumable setting unit 2, consumable rack settingpart 21).

It may be preferable that the consumables are thereby collectivelysupplied to and collected from the sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b)included in the sample measurement system (100). Accordingly, a usersuch as a laboratory technician who uses the sample measurement system(100) does not have to supply the consumables to each of the samplemeasurement units (1 a, 1 b) and collect the empty racks from each ofthe sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b). Thus, the usability of thesample measurement system (100) can be improved.

It may be preferable that the sample measurement system (100) isconfigured such that the first transport path (F) and the secondtransport path (R) are provided in cases of the sample measurement units(1 a, 1 b).

It may preferable that the sample measurement system (100) is therebyconfigured to have a small dimension in the horizontal direction evenwhen the first transport path (F) and the second transport path (R) areprovided.

It may be preferable that the sample measurement system (100) isconfigured to further include a consumable collection path (RR) thatcollects the consumables, used after being transported to at least oneof the sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b), into the consumable settingunit (2).

It may be preferable that the setting part (consumable setting unit 2)include a consumable accumulation part (26) in which the consumablestransported by using the consumable collection path (RR) areaccumulated.

The consumables used in one of the sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b)are thereby accumulated in the setting part (consumable setting unit 2).Accordingly, the user such as the laboratory technician who uses thesample measurement system (100) only needs to take out the usedconsumables from the setting part (consumable setting unit 2) anddispose them.

It may be preferable that the sample measurement system (100) isconfigured such that the sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b) includeconsumable storage portions (consumable rack storage portions 182 a, 182b) that store the consumables supplied from the first transport path(F), and when supply of the consumables from the first transport path(F) to the sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b) stops, the samplemeasurement units (1 a, 1 b) perform measurement on the samples by usingthe consumables stored in the consumable storage portions (consumablerack storage portions 182 a, 182 b).

When there are many samples to be measured, it may be preferable that asample measurement system (100) including many sample measurement units(1) is introduced. However, since an increase in the number of samplemeasurement units (1) leads to an increase in the length of the firsttransport path (F), a frequency of failures occurring in the firsttransport path (F) may increase.

According to one or more aforementioned configurations, even if thesupply of the consumables from the first transport path (F) stops, thesample measurement units (1 a, 1 b) perform measurement by using theconsumables housed in the consumable racks stored in the consumablestorage portions (consumable rack storage portions 182 a, 182 b).

A sample measurement system (100) can thereby continue the measurementwithout stopping it even if the supply of the consumables from the firsttransport path (F) to the sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b) stops.Accordingly, the measurement can continue even in a state where noconsumables are supplied from the consumable setting unit (2) and thedowntime of the sample measurement system (100) can be reduced.

It may be preferable that the sample measurement system (100) furtherincludes an information management device (7) that is communicablyconnected to each of the setting part (consumable setting unit 2) andthe sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b) and that manages a supply stateof the consumables from the first transport path (F) to each of thesample measurement units (1 a, 1 b) and be configured such that, whenthe consumables are not supplied from the setting part (consumablesetting unit 2) to at least one of the sample measurement units (1 a, 1b), the information management device (7) causes the consumable racks tobe supplied to the sample measurement unit (1 a, 1 b) to which theconsumables are not supplied.

A sample measurement system (100) thereby does not have to immediatelystop the measurement and can continue the measurement even if the supplyof the consumables from the first transport path (F) to the samplemeasurement units (1 a, 1 b) stops.

It may be preferable that the information management device (7) isconfigured to give a transport instruction to the setting part(consumable setting unit 2) such that the consumables are supplied toeach of the sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b).

The consumables can be thereby surely transported from the setting part(consumable setting unit 2) to each of the sample measurement units (1a, 1 b).

It may be preferable that the sample measurement system (100) isconfigured such that rack identification information is assigned to eachof the consumable racks, the setting part (consumable setting unit 2)sends the information management device (7) the rack identificationinformation of the consumable rack transported to the first transportpath (F) in response to the transport instruction, and the informationmanagement device (7) determines whether the consumable rack to whichthe received rack identification information is assigned is supplied tothe sample measurement unit (1 a, 1 b).

The information management device (7) can thereby determine that theconsumables are supplied from the setting part (consumable setting unit2) to each of the sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b).

It may be preferable that the consumables are disposable parts.

More specifically, the consumables may be any of pipet tips, cuvettes,reagent containers, petri dishes, well plates, glass slides, glasssubstrates, and syringe needles.

One or more embodiments provides a method of transporting racks in whichconsumable racks housing consumables are supplied to sample measurementunits (1 a, 1 b) that perform measurement on samples by using theconsumables and in which empty racks that are emptied after beingtransported to at least one of the sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b)are collected from the sample measurement unit (1 a, 1 b); the methodmay include: supplying the consumable racks housing the consumables froma setting part (consumable rack setting part 21) to one of the samplemeasurement units (1 a, 1 b), the setting part being a part in which auser sets the consumable racks; collecting the empty racks that areemptied after being transported to at least one of the samplemeasurement units (1 a, 1 b) into a collector (consumable rack collector22) arranged adjacent to the setting part (consumable rack setting part21); and transporting the empty racks to the collector (consumable rackcollector 22).

According to the aforementioned configuration, the consumables aretransported to each of the sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b) and theempty racks that are emptied after being transported to at least one ofthe sample measurement units (1 a, 1 b) are collected from the samplemeasurement unit (1 a, 1 b).

The consumables can be thereby collectively supplied to the samplemeasurement units (1 a, 1 b) included in the sample measurement system(100) and the empty racks can be collectively collected from the samplemeasurement units (1 a, 1 b). Accordingly, the user such as thelaboratory technician who uses the sample measurement system (100) doesnot have to supply the consumables to each of the sample measurementunits (1 a, 1 b) and collect the empty racks from each of the samplemeasurement units (1 a, 1 b). Thus, the usability of the samplemeasurement system (100) can be improved.

According to one or more embodiments, in a sample measurement systemincluding sample measurement units that perform measurement on samplesby using consumables, consumables can be collectively supplied to eachof the sample measurement units.

(Outline of Sample Measurement System 100)

A sample measurement system 100 is, for example, a system thatautomatically performs measurement relating to tests, analysis, and thelike of samples and is formed by combining functional units. Note that,in this specification, the “measurement” performed by the samplemeasurement system 100 may be any measurement relating to tests,analysis, and the like of samples. Specifically, the measurementperformed by the sample measurement system 100 may include, for example,steps such as, for example, heating, cooling, culturing, shaking,dispensing, mixing, separation, collection, application, and spotting,although not limited to these.

Moreover, in this specification, the “samples” are intended to be anyobjects collected from objects being targets of tests, analysis, and thelike. For example, when the sample measurement system 100 is a systemthat performs measurement relating tests given as test items indetermination of a health condition of a living body (for example,patient) and in diagnosis criteria relating to a certain disease, thesamples may be blood, urine, tissues, bones, expired air, and the like.When the sample measurement system 100 is a system that performs testsand analysis relating to environmental assessment and the like, thesamples may be water, soil, air, plants, microorganisms, and the likecollected at a target location.

Note that, as an example, description is given below of an embodiment inthe case where the sample measurement system 100 is an immunoassaysystem that performs measurement and analysis relating to test items foran immune system. Diseases for which the test items for the immunesystem are included in the diagnosis criteria include hepatitis B,hepatitis C, tumors, and thyroid hormone abnormalities, although notlimited to these.

For example, there are known various molecules whose abundance in bloodvaries depending on presence or absence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C,tumors, and thyroid hormone abnormalities. Such molecules are generallyreferred to as “molecular markers.” The diagnosis criteria for quick andaccurate diagnosis of presence or absence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C,tumors, thyroid hormone abnormalities, and the like require measurementof contents, concentration, and the like of the molecular markers in theblood collected from a subject. The measurement relating to the testitems for immune system is measurement of uniquely detecting andquantifying specific molecular markers in blood at high-sensitivity byutilizing antigen-antibody reaction in which the specific molecularmarkers are target molecules. The sample measurement system 100 is asystem that has functions of performing measurement relating to thesetest items for immune system and evaluating and analyzing measurementresults according to the diagnosis criteria.

(Schematic Configuration of Sample Measurement System 100)

Next, the schematic configuration of the sample measurement system 100is described by using FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating anexample of a configuration of the sample measurement system 100according to the embodiment. The sample measurement system 100 includessample measurement units that are functional units typically having afunction of performing the aforementioned measurement. For example, thesample measurement system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b, a consumable setting unit 2 (setting part,rack setting unit), a sample sorting unit 3, a sample setting unit 4(rack setting unit), a reagent container holding unit 5, a cleaningliquid holding unit 6, and an information management device 7.

The information management device 7 and each of the functional units ofthe sample measurement system 100 are communicably connected to eachother as illustrated by one-dot chain lines in FIG. 1 and theinformation management device 7 integrally controls operations of thefunctional units included in the sample measurement system 100.Moreover, the information management device 7 may have a function ofaccumulating results measured in the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 band performing various types of analysis based on the measurementresults.

<Expandability of Sample Measurement System 100>

In hospitals, test institutions, and the like that perform tests anddiagnosis for many subjects, measurement relating to wide variety oftest items needs to be performed many times daily. The test institutionsare institutions that perform measurement and analysis relating to testitems specified by medical organizations on samples for which tests arerequested by the medical organizations and provide the test results tothe medical organizations. In such a case, a processing performance ofthe sample measurement system 100 can be easily improved by increasingthe number of sample measurement units that perform measurement of thesamples. However, the processing performance of the sample measurementsystem 100 cannot be improved unless the samples to be measured andreagents and consumables to be used in the measurement are stablysupplied to the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b without shortage.Moreover, a problem of whether a space for installing the samplemeasurement system 100 is enough or not needs to be solved toadditionally install a sample measurement unit.

There may also be a case where the diagnoses criteria are revised. Forexample, when execution of an immune system test for a molecular markernot included in the conventional diagnoses criteria becomes necessary,the hospitals and test institutions may introduce a measurementapparatus having a function of performing measurement for the newmolecular marker, in addition to the sample measurement system 100.However, samples such as blood of subjects need to be collected anddistributed to sample containers applicable to the sample measurementsystem 100 and sample containers applicable to the newly introducedmeasurement apparatus. Moreover, since a work routine varies between thesample measurement system 100 and the newly introduced measurementapparatus, work is cumbersome. Furthermore, problems such as a problemof cost of newly and additionally introducing an expensive measurementapparatus and a problem of space for installing the new measurementapparatus need to be solved.

The functional units, including the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b,of the sample measurement system 100 are configured to have smalldimensions in the horizontal direction. This suppresses an increase inan installation area of the sample measurement system 100. Moreover, thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b, the sample sorting unit 3, the samplesetting unit 4, and the like can be additionally installed in the samplemeasurement system 100 as necessary and the sample measurement system100 has expandability. The processing performance of the samplemeasurement system 100 can be easily improved by adding desiredfunctional units such as the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b to thesample measurement system 100. For example, the processing performanceof the sample measurement system 100 can be improved by additionallyinstalling sample measurement units 1 c, 1 d and the like in the samplemeasurement system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

(Sample Containers C3, Sample Rack C30, Reagent Containers, Consumables,Consumable Racks C10, C20)

Forms and structures of consumables, sample containers C3, reagentcontainers, and the like used in the sample measurement system 100 arecommon to functional units. Specifically, even when the samplemeasurement units 1 c, 1 d and the like are additionally installed inthe sample measurement system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, theconsumables, the sample containers C3, the reagent containers, and thelike used before the additional installation can be used without beingchanged.

Generally, measurement relating to a test of an immune system is oftenperformed by using consumables and consumables are used also in thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b. Note that, in this specification, the“consumables” refer to parts (so-called disposable parts) intended to bereplaced and disposed after being used a predetermined number of times(for example, once). The consumables may be, for example, pipet tips C2,cuvettes C1, reagent containers, petri dishes, well plates (the numberof wells is, for example, 48, 96, 384, or the like), glass slides, glasssubstrates, and needles including syringe needles and the like, althoughnot limited to these. The cuvettes C1 are tubes that may be used asreaction containers in which samples dispensed from the samplecontainers C3 and a reagent dispensed from the reagent container aremixed to cause antigen-antibody reaction or the like or are tubes thatmay be subjected to spectroscopic measurement such as fluorescentdetection in the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b. Consumable racksC10, C20 may be reused or disposed after the use like the consumables.Description is given below of the case where the consumable racks C10,C20 are reused as an example.

<21 Sample Containers C3>>

A configuration of the sample containers C3 applicable to the samplemeasurement system 100 is described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.As illustrated in FIG. 2A, each sample container C3 may include a lidportion C31, a body portion C32, and a barcode label C34. Note that, inthe sample container C3, the lid portion C31 is not an essentialconfiguration and the sample container C3 only needs to include the bodyportion C32 and the barcode label C34. The body portion C32 is a bloodcollection tube made of glass or synthetic resin that is translucent anda sample is contained in the body portion C32. The lid portion C31tightly seals an opening at an upper end of the body portion C32containing the sample. The lid portion C31 is made of plastic. Thebarcode label C34 is attached to a side surface of the body portion C32.A barcode indicating a sample ID is printed in the barcode label C34.The sample ID is information that allows the sample contained in eachsample container C3 to be individually identified.

<21 Sample Rack C30>>

Next, a configuration of sample racks C30 is described with reference toFIG. 2B. Each sample rack C30 can hold sample containers C3 and, forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, can hold up to a predeterminednumber of (for example, ten) sample containers C3. A barcode label C304is provided on an outer side surface of the sample rack C30. A barcodeindicating a sample rack ID is printed in the barcode label C304. Thesample rack ID is information that allows each sample rack C30 to beindividually identified. Note that the position of the barcode labelC304 is not limited to the position illustrated in FIG. 2B. For example,the position of the barcode label C304 and the orientation of thebarcode may be set to such position and orientation that a barcodereader configured to read the barcode labels C34 of the samplecontainers C3 can read the barcode label C304.

<21 Reagent Containers>>

In the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b, reagents are used in themeasurement performed on the samples. The reagent containers arecontainers containing the reagents. Each reagent container generallyincludes a plug body, a body portion, and a lid portion. The bodyportion is a bottle or a jar made of glass or synthetic resin that istranslucent and the reagent is contained in the body portion. The plugbody seals an opening at an upper end of the body portion containing thereagent. The plug body may be made of elastic synthetic resin or thelike. A recess portion may be formed on an upper surface of the plugbody. The lid portion is made of plastic and covers the plug bodyattached to the body portion from above. A screw thread to be fitted toa screw thread provided on the outer side of the body portion may beprovided on the inner side of the lid portion. A penetration hole may beformed in the lid portion. The recess portion in the plug body and thehole provided in the lid portion are provided to allow a front end of atube or a nozzle for aspirating the reagent from the reagent containerin the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b to enter the reagent container.A barcode label may be attached to a side surface of the body portion. Abarcode indicating a reagent ID is printed in this barcode label. Thereagent ID may include information indicating the type of the reagent,the manufacturing number, the manufacturing date, and the like.

<21 Barcode Reader>>

The functional units such as the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b, thesample setting unit 4, and the sample sorting unit 3 that have afunction of performing at least one of setting, discharging,transporting, and loading of the sample containers and the sample racksC3 each include a barcode reader that reads the barcode labels C34 onthe sample containers and the barcode labels C304 on the sample racks. Aunique reader ID is assigned to each barcode reader and each readertransmits the read sample IDs and the sample rack IDs to the informationmanagement device 7 together with the reader ID of itself. Theinformation management device 7 may obtain the reader IDs and thecombinations of the read sample IDs and sample rack IDs at any time. Theinformation management device 7 can recognize and manage actions suchas, for example, an action in which the sample rack C30 to betransported from the sample setting unit 4 to the sample measurementunit 1 a is transported from the sample setting unit 4 and an action inwhich this sample rack C30 is supplied to the sample measurement unit 1a, in real time, by obtaining the reader IDs and information on thebarcode label C304 read by the barcode readers. The informationmanagement device 7 can thereby surely supply the sample containers C3,transported from the sample setting unit 4, to the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b to which the sample containers C30 are to be supplied.

Similarly, the information management device 7 obtains the reader IDsand information on the barcode labels of the reagent containers read bythe barcode readers. The information management device 7 therebyrecognizes and manages actions such as an action in which the reagentcontainers to be transported from the reagent container holding unit 5to the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b are transported from thereagent container holding unit 5 and an action in which these reagentcontainers are supplied to the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b, inreal time.

<21 Consumables: Cuvettes C1 and Pipet Tips C2>>

Examples of the consumables used in the sample measurement units 1 a, 1b are described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3D. FIGS. 3A to 3D areviews illustrating examples of the cuvette C1 used in the measurement inthe sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b, the consumable rack C10 thatholds the cuvettes C1, the pipet tip C2, and the consumable rack C20that holds the pipet tips C2.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, each cuvette C1 is formed of a flange portionC11 having a diameter of d11 and a body portion C12 having a diameter ofd12 smaller than the diameter d11. The cuvette C1 is used to cause thesample and the reagent to react with each other and is disposed afterthe measurement of the sample. Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 3C,each pipet tip C2 is formed of an attachment portion C21 having adiameter of d21 smaller than the diameter d11 and a body portion C22having a diameter smaller than the diameter d21. The pipet tip C2 isused to aspirate and discharge the sample and is disposed every time thesample is aspirated and discharged. In other words, the cuvette C1 andthe pipet tip C2 are disposable members and are consumables that aredisposed to prevent mixing of samples.

<21 Consumable Racks C10, C20>>

Next, the consumable racks C10, C20 are described. The consumable rackC10 is a rack that can hold the cuvettes C1 and the consumable rack C20is a rack that can hold the pipet tips C2. FIG. 3B illustrates anexample of the consumable rack C10 that holds 16 cuvettes C1 and FIG. 3Dillustrates an example of the consumable rack C20 that holds ten pipettips C2. When the dimensions of the consumable racks C10, C20 are large,the width of transport paths that transport these racks needs to be setlarge. Accordingly, the consumable racks C10, C20 may be configured suchthat the dimension of the sample measurement system 100 in thehorizontal direction does not become large. For example, theconfiguration may be such that the number of consumables that can beheld by each of the consumable racks C10, C20 is limited to about 10 to30 and, instead, a supply frequency from the consumable setting unit 2to the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b is increased.

The consumable racks C10, C20 include RFID tags C104 and C204 that storerack identification information assigned to the consumables. The RFIDtags C104 and C204 may be provided respectively on side surfaces of theconsumable racks C10, C20 as illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3D.

Note that a set of cuvettes C1 and a set of the pipet tips C2 are eachgenerally sold with a predetermined number (for example, 500) ofcuvettes C1 or pipet tips C2 housed in a bag or with a predeterminednumber of cuvettes C1 or pipet tips C2 housed and arranged in apredetermined container in advance. The configuration may be such thatthe container housing the predetermined number of cuvettes C1 or pipettips C2 on the market can be used as it is as the consumable rack C10,C20 of the sample measurement system 100.

<21 RFID Reader Writer>>

The information management device 7 also manages supplying of theconsumable racks C10, C20 from the consumable setting unit 2 to thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b like the transport of the sample rackC30. The consumable setting unit 2 obtains a transport instructionincluding information on which consumable rack is to be supplied to eachof the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b, from the informationmanagement device 7. The consumable setting unit 2 includes a RFIDreader writer. The RFID reader writer writes identification informationsuch as unit IDs, assigned to the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b towhich the consumables are to be supplied, into the RFID tags C104 andC204 of the consumable racks C10, C20. Each of the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b receives the consumable racks C10, C20 having the RFIDtags in which the unit ID of itself is written. For example, the RFIDreader writer is provided in each of a consumable rack setting part 21and a consumable rack collector 22. When the consumable racks (emptyracks) C10, C20 emptied after being transported to at least one of thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b are collected into the consumable rackcollector 22, the RFID reader writer of the consumable rack collector 22erases the information written in the RFID tags of the collectedconsumable racks C10, C20. Using the RFID tags as described above allowstransport of the consumable racks C10, C20 while specifying the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b to which the consumable racks C10, C20 needto be supplied. For example, the consumable racks C10, C20 emptied afterbeing transported to the sample measurement unit 1 a can be then reusedas the consumable racks C10, C20 used to supply the consumables to thesample measurement unit 1 b.

(Transport Paths Included in Sample Measurement System 100)

Next, transport paths included in the sample measurement system 100 aredescribed by using FIG. 4A. FIG. 4A is an illustrative diagramillustrating an outline of the transport paths included in the samplemeasurement system 100. Note that the sample sorting unit 3 is omittedin FIG. 4A. The sample sorting unit 3 is not a functional unit essentialfor the configuration of the sample measurement system 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the consumable setting unit 2 includes theconsumable rack setting part 21 (setting part) and the consumable rackcollector 22 (collector). The consumable setting unit 2 holds theconsumables. A user such as a laboratory technician sets the consumableracks C10, C20, housing the consumables to be used in the measurement ofthe samples in the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b, in the consumablerack setting part 21. The consumable racks C10, C20 set in theconsumable rack setting part 21 are transported in a first direction bya first transport path F (first transporting step) and are supplied tothe sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b (supplying step). Note that theconsumable setting unit 2 may have a mechanism that automatically housesthe consumables supplied by the user into the empty consumable racksC10, C20 (empty racks). In this case, it is only necessary to set theempty consumable racks C10, C20 housing no consumables in the consumablerack setting part 21. Here, the consumables may be, for example, thecuvettes C1 and/or the pipet tips C2. The cuvettes C1 and/or the pipettips C2 are disposable members that are replaced after being used in thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b.

Although FIG. 4A illustrates an example in which the consumable settingunit 2 includes the consumable rack setting part 21 and the consumablerack collector 22, the present invention is not limited to thisconfiguration. Another example of the consumable rack collector 22included in the sample measurement system 100 is described by using FIG.4B. For example, as illustrated in part (a) of FIG. 4B, theconfiguration may be such that the consumable rack collector 22 isprovided as a body separate from the consumable setting unit 2.Specifically, a functional unit (for example, “consumable rackcollection unit”) that includes the consumable rack collector 22 andthat is different from the consumable setting unit 2 may be formed andarranged, for example, adjacent to the consumable setting unit 2.Alternatively, as illustrated in part (b) of FIG. 4B, a shelf or a boxfor collecting the consumable racks may be provided near the consumablesetting unit 2 to be used as the consumable rack collector 22.

The first transport path F extends from the consumable rack setting part21 and passes through insides of cases of the sample measurement units 1a, 1 b. In other words, the first transport path F is provided in thecases of the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b. The first transport pathF is a path for transporting the consumables from the consumable settingunit 2 to at least one of the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b. Theconsumable racks C10, C20 installed in the consumable rack setting part21 are used to supply the consumables to the sample measurement units 1a, 1 b through the first transport path F and are members that may berepeatedly used.

A second transport path R passes through at least one of the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b and is a path for transporting the consumableracks C10, C20, emptied as a result of usage of the consumables, fromthe sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b in a second direction differentfrom the aforementioned first direction (second transporting step). Thesecond transport path R extends from the consumable rack collector 22and passes through the insides of the cases of the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b. In other words, the second transport path R is providedin the cases of the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b. The secondtransport path R is a path for transporting the consumable racks C10,C20, emptied as a result of usage of the consumables in the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b, to the consumable setting unit 2. The secondtransport path R collects the empty consumable racks C10, C20 from thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b into the consumable rack collector 22of the consumable setting unit 2 (collecting step).

Note that the consumable rack collector 22 is installed adjacent to theconsumable rack setting part 21. Alternatively, when the first transportpath F and the second transport path R are provided at differentpositions (levels) in the height direction, the consumable rack settingpart 21 and the consumable rack collector 22 may also be provided atdifferent positions in the height direction. In this case, theconsumable rack collector 22 may be installed adjacent to the consumablerack setting part 21 in the height direction. The consumable rackcollector 22 may be typically provided above the consumable rack settingpart 21. This configuration allows the user such as the laboratorytechnician to perform both of supplying of the consumables to all of thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b included in the sample measurementsystem 100 and collecting of the empty consumable racks C10, C20 whilestaying near the consumable setting unit 2. Accordingly, the usabilityof the sample measurement system 100 can be improved.

A consumable transfer path Ta (transfer path) is provided in the samplemeasurement unit 1 a and is provided between the first transport path Fand the second transport path R. After the consumables housed in theconsumable racks C10, C20 transported by the first transport path F areused in the sample measurement unit 1 a, the consumable transfer path Tatransfers the empty consumable racks C10, C20 to the second transportpath R. The consumable transfer path Ta is a path for transferring theconsumable racks C10, C20, being empty after the supplying of theconsumables in the supplying step, to the second transport path Rprovided at the position different from the first transport path F inthe height direction (lifting-lowering step).

A consumable transfer path Tb is provided in the sample measurement unit1 b and is provided between the first transport path F and the secondtransport path R. After the consumables housed in the consumable racksC10, C20 transported by the first transport path F are used in thesample measurement unit 1 b, the consumable transfer path Tb transfersthe empty consumable racks C10, C20 to the second transport path R. Theconsumable transfer path Tb is a path for transferring the consumableracks C10, C20, being empty after the supplying of the consumables inthe supplying step, to the second transport path R provided at theposition different from the first transport path F in the heightdirection (lifting-lowering step).

Note that the first transport path F and the second transport path R aredesirably provided in different two stages of an upper stage and a lowerstage, respectively, to suppress an increase in the dimension of thesample measurement system 100 in the horizontal direction. In otherwords, the height of a placing surface of the first transport path F maybe different from the height of a placing surface of the secondtransport path R. Typically, the first transport path F may be providedsubstantially directly below the second transport path R or the firsttransport path F may be provided substantially directly above the secondtransport path R.

The empty consumable racks C10, C20 the consumables in which are used inthe sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b are held in the consumable rackcollector 22. The user may take out the consumable racks C10, C20 heldin the consumable rack collector 22, house the consumables in theconsumable racks C10, C20, and then set the consumable racks C10, C20 inthe consumable rack setting part 21. Alternatively, the consumable racksetting part 21 may have a function of automatically housing theconsumables in the consumable racks C10, C20.

The sample setting unit 4 includes a sample rack setting part 41 and asample rack collector 42. The sample rack setting part 41 receives thesample containers C3 housing the samples to be subjected to themeasurement in the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b and dischargesthese sample containers C3 to a sample transport path KF (firsttransport path). Note that the sample rack setting part 41 may have aconfiguration of collectively discharging multiple sample containers C3to the sample transport path KF by using the sample rack C30 holding thesample containers C3. The sample rack setting part 41 functions as anaccumulation part of the samples that is provided in the sampletransport path KF.

The sample transport path KF extends from the sample rack setting part41 and passes through the insides of a case of the consumable settingunit 2 and protection covers provided in the sample measurement units 1a, 1 b. The protection covers are provided on the sides of the cases ofthe sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b where operations from the user arereceived. The sample transport path KF is a path for transporting thesample racks C30 from the sample setting unit 4 to at least one of thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b in the first direction. The sampleracks C30 transported from the sample rack setting part 41 are suppliedto the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b through the sample transportpath KF (supplying step).

A sample collection path KR (second transport path, sample rackcollection path) extends from the sample rack collector 42 and passesthrough the insides of the cases of the consumable setting unit 2 andthe sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b. The sample collection path KR isa path for transporting the sample racks C30 holding the samplecontainers C3 containing the samples measured in any of the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b to the sample setting unit 4 in the seconddirection different from the aforementioned first direction.Specifically, the sample collection path KR transports the samplecontainers or the sample racks to the sample rack collector 42 of thesample setting unit 4.

In this example, the sample transport path KF and the sample collectionpath KR are provided at different positions (levels) in the heightdirection. The sample rack setting part 41 and the sample rack collector42 may be accordingly also provided at different positions in the heightdirection. In this case, the sample rack collector 42 may be installedadjacent to the sample rack setting part 41 in the height direction.

A sample transfer path KTa (transfer path) is provided in the samplemeasurement unit 1 a and is provided between the sample transport pathKF and the sample collection path KR. The sample transfer path KTa isused when the sample racks C30 transported by the sample transport pathKF are to be transferred into the case of the sample measurement unit 1a and when the sample racks C30 holding the sample containers C3 housingthe samples measured in the sample measurement unit 1 a are to betransferred to the sample collection path KR. The sample transfer pathKTa is a path for transferring the sample racks C30 supplied in thesupplying step to the sample collection path KR provided at the positiondifferent from the sample transport path KF in the height direction(lifting-lowering step).

A sample transfer path KTb (transfer path) is provided in the samplemeasurement unit 1 b and is provided between the sample transport pathKF and the sample collection path KR. The sample transfer path KTb isused when the sample racks C30 transported by the sample transport pathKF are to be transferred into the case of the sample measurement unit 1b and when the sample racks C30 holding the sample containers C3 housingthe samples measured in the sample measurement unit 1 b are to betransferred to the sample collection path KR. The sample transfer pathKTb is a path for transferring the sample racks C30 supplied in thesupplying step to the sample collection path KR provided at the positiondifferent from the sample transport path KF in the height direction(lifting-lowering step).

The sample rack collector 42 collects the sample racks C30 holding thesample containers C3 containing the samples measured in the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b and holds the collected sample racks C30. Theuser can take out the sample containers C3 or the sample racks C30collected by the sample rack collector 42, from the sample rackcollector 42.

Moreover, the sample racks C30 may remain inside the sample measurementunit 1 a or the sample measurement unit 1 b. Specifically, each samplerack C30 inside the sample measurement unit 1 a or the samplemeasurement unit 1 b first receives the sample containers C3 suppliedfrom the sample rack setting part 41. Next, the sample rack C30 isprocessed in the sample measurement unit 1 a or the sample measurementunit 1 b and then discharges the sample containers C3 to the samplecollection path KR.

Note that the sample transport path KF and the sample collection path KRare desirably provided in two stages of an upper stage and a lowerstage, respectively, to suppress an increase in the dimension of thesample measurement system 100 in the horizontal direction. Typically,the sample collection path KR may be provided directly below the sampletransport path KF or the sample collection path KR may be provideddirectly above the sample transport path KF. In other words, the sampletransport path KF and the sample collection path KR are provided atpositions substantially overlapping each other as viewed in the verticaldirection. For example, when the sample transport path KF is provided inthe upper stage and the sample collection path KR is provided in thelower stage, the sample rack setting part 41 is provided above thesample rack collector 42. Note that, although either the sampletransport path KF or the sample collection path KR may be provided abovethe other, the configuration in which the sample collection path KR isprovided in the lower level is more intuitively understandable and hasbetter usability.

The reagent container holding unit 5 holds reagent containers andincludes a reagent container supplier 51. The reagent container supplier51 holds the reagents to be supplied to the sample measurement units 1a, 1 b, puts the reagents into the reagent containers, and dischargesthe reagent containers to a reagent container transport path LF (secondtransport path, transport path).

The reagent container transport path LF extends from the reagentcontainer supplier 51, passes over the sample setting unit 4 and theconsumable setting unit 2, and passes through the insides of the casesof the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b.

The reagent container transport path LF is a path for transporting thereagent containers from the reagent container holding unit 5 to thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b. The reagent container supplier 51supplies the reagent containers to the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 bthrough the reagent container transport path LF.

A used reagent container transport path LR (collection path) extendsfrom a used reagent container accumulation part 25 included in theconsumable setting unit 2 and passes through the insides of the cases ofthe sample setting unit 4, the consumable setting unit 2, and the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b. The used reagent container transport path LRis a path for transporting the reagent containers emptied by being usedin the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b, to the used reagent containeraccumulation part 25. The used reagent container accumulation part 25 isa part for collecting the used reagent containers.

A reagent container transfer path LTa is provided in the samplemeasurement unit 1 a and is provided between the reagent containertransport path LF and the used reagent container transport path LR.After the reagent containers transported by the reagent containertransport path LF are used in the sample measurement unit 1 a, thereagent container transfer path LTa transfers the used reagentcontainers to the used reagent container transport path LR. A reagentcontainer transfer path LTb is provided in the sample measurement unit 1b and is provided between the reagent container transport path LF andthe used reagent container transport path LR. After the reagentcontainers transported by the reagent container transport path LF areused in the sample measurement unit 1 b, the reagent container transferpath LTb transfers the used reagent containers to the used reagentcontainer transport path LR.

The used reagent container accumulation part 25 collects the reagentcontainers emptied by being used in the sample measurement units 1 a, 1b. The user can dispose the reagent containers collected by the usedreagent container accumulation part 25.

In the sample measurement system 100, the consumable rack setting part21, the first transport path, the consumable rack collector 22, and thesecond transport path may be provided for each type of consumable. Forexample, in the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the consumable settingunit 2 includes a cuvette rack setting part 211 and a cuvette rackcollector 221 dedicated to the consumable racks C10 housing the cuvettesC1 and a pipet tip rack setting part 212 and a pipet tip rack collector222 dedicated to the consumable racks C20 housing the pipet tips C2.Note that, in FIG. 5, the sample setting unit 4, the reagent containerholding unit 5, the cleaning liquid holding unit 6, and the informationmanagement device 7 in the sample measurement system 100 are omitted.

A first transport path F1 extends from the cuvette rack setting part 211and passes through the insides of the cases of the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b. The first transport path F1 is a path for transportingthe cuvettes C1 from the consumable setting unit 2 to the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b. The cuvettes C1 are supplied from thecuvette rack setting part 211 to the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 bthrough the first transport path F1.

A first transport path F2 extends from the pipet tip rack setting part212 and passes through the insides of the cases of the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b. The first transport path F2 is a path fortransporting the pipet tips C2 from the consumable setting unit 2 to thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b. The pipet tips C2 are supplied fromthe pipet tip rack setting part 212 to the sample measurement units 1 a,1 b through the first transport path F2.

A second transport path R1 extends from the cuvette rack collector 221and passes through the insides of the cases of the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b. The second transport path R1 is a path for transportingthe consumable racks C10, emptied as a result of usage of the cuvettesC1 in at least one of the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b, to theconsumable setting unit 2. Specifically, the second transport path R1transports the consumable racks C10 to the cuvette rack collector 221 inthe consumable setting unit 2.

A second transport path R2 extends from the pipet tip rack collector 222and passes through the insides of the cases of the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b. The second transport path R2 is a path for transportingthe consumable racks C20, emptied as a result of usage of the pipet tipsC2 in at least one of the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b, to theconsumable setting unit 2. Specifically, the second transport path R2transports the consumable racks C20 to the pipet tip rack collector 222in the consumable setting unit 2.

A consumable transfer path T1 a is provided in the sample measurementunit 1 a and is provided between the first transport path F1 and thesecond transport path R1. After the cuvettes C1 transported by the firsttransport path F1 are used in the sample measurement unit 1 a, theconsumable transfer path T1 a transfers the processed cuvettes C1 to thesecond transport path R1. A consumable transfer path T1 b is provided inthe sample measurement unit 1 b and is provided between the firsttransport path F1 and the second transport path R1. After the cuvettesC1 transported by the first transport path F1 are used in the samplemeasurement unit 1 b, the consumable transfer path T1 b transfers theprocessed cuvettes C1 to the second transport path R1.

The cuvette rack collector 221 collects the cuvettes C1 used in thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b. The user can dispose the cuvettes C1collected by the cuvette rack collector 221.

Meanwhile, in the first transport path F2, the second transport path R2,a consumable transfer path T2 a, and a consumable transfer path T2 b,processing is performed on the pipet tips C2 as in the first transportpath F1, the second transport path R1, the consumable transfer path T1a, and the consumable transfer path T1 b.

Next, a consumable collection path RR for collecting the consumablesused while passing through at least one of the sample measurement units1 a, 1 b into the consumable setting unit 2 is described by using FIG.6. Note that, in FIG. 6, the sample setting unit 4, the reagentcontainer holding unit 5, the cleaning liquid holding unit 6, and theinformation management device 7 in the sample measurement system 100 areomitted. The consumable collection path RR is formed of consumablecollection mechanisms RRa and RRb provided in the sample measurementunit 1 a and the sample measurement unit 1 b, respectively.

Specifically, the sample measurement unit 1 b includes the consumablecollection mechanism RRb for transporting the consumables used in thesample measurement unit 1 b on the farther side from the consumablesetting unit 2 to the sample measurement unit 1 a on the closer side tothe consumable setting unit 2 or to the consumable setting unit 2. Inthis case, the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b are arranged adjacentto each other.

The consumable collection mechanisms RRa and RRb include housing partsrra and rrb, respectively. The transport of the used consumables isperformed by moving the housing parts rra and rrb. The housing parts rraand rrb have structures in which upper portions thereof are open and maybe configured such that the consumables used in measurement parts 10located above the housing parts rra and rrb are housed in the housingparts rra and rrb.

After the consumables used in the sample measurement unit 1 b are housedin the housing part rrb, the sample measurement unit 1 b drives theconsumable collection mechanism RRb to move the housing part rrb closeto the sample measurement unit 1 a. After the housing part rrb is movedclose to the sample measurement unit 1 a, the sample measurement unit 1b tilts the housing part rrb to transfer the consumables housed in thehousing part rrb to the housing part rra of the sample measurement unit1 a.

After the consumables used in the sample measurement unit 1 b and theconsumables used in the sample measurement unit 1 a are housed in thehousing part rra, the sample measurement unit 1 a drives the consumablecollection mechanism RRa to move the housing part rra close to theconsumable setting unit 2 adjacent to the sample measurement unit 1 a.After the housing part rra is moved close to the consumable setting unit2, the sample measurement unit 1 a tilts the housing part rra such thatthe consumables housed in the housing part rra are accumulated in aconsumable accumulation part 26. Note that the consumable accumulationpart 26 is desirably provided near the consumable setting unit 2 and,for example, may be provided in the case of the consumable setting unit2. The consumables used in the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b arecollected into the consumable accumulation part 26. In such aconfiguration, the user does not have to go to the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b to collect the used consumables and the usability of thesample measurement system 100 can be improved.

(Control System of Sample Measurement System 100)

Next, a control system of the sample measurement system 100 is describedby using FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of aconfiguration that integrally controls operations of the functionalunits included in the sample measurement system 100. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the information management device 7 integrally controlsoperations of the functional units included in the sample measurementsystem 100.

<Information Management Device 7>

The information management device 7 is communicably connected tocontrollers of the respective functional units included in the samplemeasurement system 100 and integrally manages various types ofinformation from the functional units obtained in the functional units.For example, the information management device 7 may be a computer thatcan function as a WAM (middleware) in the sample measurement system 100.

Detection information detected by a detector (for example, barcodereader, various sensors, and the like) provided in each functional unitis sent to the controller of the functional unit.

Specifically, the information management device 7 obtains, for example,the following pieces of information, although not limited to these, andmanages or is managing the supply conditions of the reagent containers,the sample racks C30, and the consumable racks C10, C20 to each of thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b as appropriate:

-   -   Information on the reagent containers held in the sample        measurement units 1 a, 1 b (for example, the reagent IDs, the        usage amounts of the reagents, the usage frequency, the        remaining amount, or the like);    -   Information on the sample containers C3 held in the reagent        container holding unit 5 (for example, sample IDs or the like);    -   Conditions of processing operations in the sample measurement        units 1 a, 1 b (for example, presence or absence of abnormality        or the like);    -   Information on the reagent containers held by the sample        measurement units 1 a, 1 b (for example, reagent IDs or the        like);    -   Identification information of the consumable racks C10, C20        transported from the consumable setting unit 2; and the like.

(Arrangement of Functional Units and Transport Paths in SampleMeasurement System 100)

Next, an arrangement example and transport paths in the case where thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b that are functional units of thesample measurement system 100 including two sample measurement units arearranged in a line in an x-axis direction are described by using FIGS. 8and 9. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the arrangement exampleof the functional units and the transport paths in the samplemeasurement system 100 including the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 band FIG. 9 is a transparent perspective view illustrating thearrangement example of the functional units and the transport paths inthe sample measurement system 100 including the sample measurement units1 a, 1 b. Note that the arrangement is not limited to the aforementionedarrangement and the functional units may be arranged at desiredpositions.

In order to maintain the processing performances of the respectivesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b included in the sample measurementsystem 100, the functional units are desirably arranged such that theconsumables used in the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b and thesamples and the reagents provided for the measurement can be smoothlysupplied. Generally, one pipet tip C2 and one cuvette C1 are required tocomplete measurement for one sample. Meanwhile, each reagent containercontains a reagent in such an amount that measurement can be performedon multiple samples. Accordingly, the number of reagent containers to besupplied is smaller than the number of consumables and samples to besupplied from the functional units other than the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b to the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b.

For example, when the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b are arrangedadjacent to each other as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 8, and 9, theconsumable setting unit 2 is desirably arranged directly adjacent to thesample measurement unit 1 a that is the sample measurement unit closerto a center portion of the sample measurement system 100. The consumablesetting unit 2 is desirably arranged adjacent to at least one of thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the arrangement example of the transport pathsprovided in the sample measurement system 100. Note that the transportpaths already described in FIGS. 4A and 4B are denoted by the samereference signs.

(Outline of Functional Units Included in Sample Measurement System 100)

Main functions and schematic configurations of the functional unitsincluded in the sample measurement system 100 are described below. Notethat description is given below of the case where the functional unitsof the sample measurement system 100 are configured to be arranged inthe order as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, as an example.Specifically, the sample measurement unit 1 b is arranged on the rightside of the sample measurement unit 1 a and the consumable setting unit2, the sample sorting unit 3, the sample setting unit 4, the reagentcontainer holding unit 5, and the cleaning liquid holding unit 6 arearranged on the left side of the sample measurement unit 1 a in thisorder.

<Sample Measurement Units 1 a, 1 b>

First, the configurations of the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b aredescribed with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10D. FIGS. 10A to 10D areperspective views illustrating the schematic configuration of the samplemeasurement unit 1 a. As illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10D, lids 301 a,302 a are formed in the sample measurement unit 1 a. Details of the lids301 a, 302 a are described later.

Opening portions 10F1, 10R1, 11F1, 11R1, 10KF1, 10KR1, 10L1 are formedin a left side surface of the sample measurement unit 1 a. The left sidesurface of the sample measurement unit 1 a is a surface on the sidefacing the consumable setting unit 2. The consumables transported fromthe consumable setting unit 2 through the first transport paths F enterthe sample measurement unit 1 a from the opening portions 10F1, 11F1.Specifically, the cuvette C1 and the pipet tip C2 enter the samplemeasurement unit 1 a from the opening portions 10F1, 11F1, respectively.

The consumables used in the sample measurement unit 1 a are dischargedfrom the opening portions 10R1, 11 R1 to the second transport paths R.Specifically, the cuvette C1 and the pipet tip C2 used in the samplemeasurement unit 1 a are discharged respectively from the openingportions 10R1, 11 R1 to the second transport paths R.

The sample rack C30 transported from the sample setting unit 4 throughthe sample transport path KF enters the sample measurement unit 1 a fromthe opening portion 10KF1. The sample rack C30 holding the samplecontainers C3 containing the samples measured in the sample measurementunit 1 a is discharged from the opening portion 10KR1 to the samplecollection path KR.

The reagent container transported from the reagent container holdingunit 5 through the reagent container transport path LF enters the samplemeasurement unit 1 a from the opening portion 101_1. Moreover, thereagent container used in the sample measurement unit 1 a is dischargedfrom the opening portion 10L1 to the used reagent container transportpath LR.

Meanwhile, opening portions 10F2, 10R2, 11F2, 11 R2, 10KF2, 10KR2, 10L2are formed on a right side surface of the sample measurement unit 1 a.The right side surface of the sample measurement unit 1 a is a surfaceon the side facing the sample measurement unit 1 b. The consumables tobe used in the sample measurement unit 1 b are discharged from theopening portions 10F2, 11F2 to the first transport paths F.Specifically, the cuvette C1 and the pipet tip C2 to be used in thesample measurement unit 1 b are discharged respectively from the openingportions 10F2, 11F2 to the first transport paths F.

The consumables used in the sample measurement unit 1 b enter the samplemeasurement unit 1 a from the opening portions 10R2, 11 R2 by beingtransported through the second transport paths R. Specifically, thecuvette C1 and the pipet tip C2 used in the sample measurement unit 1 benter the sample measurement unit 1 a respectively from the openingportions 10R2, 11 R2 by being transported through the second transportpaths R.

The sample rack C30 holding the sample containers C3 containing thesample to be provided for the measurement of the samples in the samplemeasurement unit 1 b is discharged from the opening portion 10KF2 to thesample transport path KF. The sample rack C30 holding the samplecontainers C3 containing the samples measured in the sample measurementunit 1 b enters the sample measurement unit 1 a from the opening portion10KR2 by being transported through the sample collection path KR.

The reagent container to be used in the sample measurement unit 1 b isdischarged from the opening portion 10L2 to the reagent containertransport path LF. Moreover, the reagent container used in the samplemeasurement unit 1 b enters the sample measurement unit 1 a from theopening portion L2 by being transported through the used reagentcontainer transport path LR.

Next, internal configurations of the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 bare described with reference to FIG. 11.

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a measurementpart 10 of the sample measurement unit 1 a as viewed from above. Thesample measurement unit 1 a includes the measurement part 10 and adisplay input part (see FIG. 1) formed of a touch panel.

The sample rack C30 holding the sample containers containing the samplesare transported from the sample setting unit 4 to the sample measurementunit 1 a. The measurement part 10 performs measurement by aspirating thesamples from the sample containers transported from the sample settingunit 4 and positioned at a predetermined position.

The measurement part 10 includes a cuvette supplier 101 and a pipet tipsupplier 102 and also includes, as measurement mechanism portions forperforming sample measurement by using the cuvettes C1 supplied from thecuvette supplier 101 and the pipet tips C2 supplied from the pipet tipsupplier 102, a sample dispensing arm 111, an R1 reagent dispensing arm112, an R2 reagent dispensing arm 113, an R3 reagent dispensing arm 114,a reaction part 120, a primary BF (Bound Free) separator 131, asecondary BF separator 132, an R4/R5 reagent supplier 140, a reagentsetting part 150, and a detector 160.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the lid 301 a and the lid 302 a are providedin upper portions of the cuvette supplier 101 and the pipet tip supplier102, respectively. The user opens the lid 301 a to put the cuvettes C1to be used in the measurement operations into the cuvette supplier 101and opens the lid 302 a to put the pipet tips C2 to be used in themeasurement operation into the pipet tip supplier 102.

Returning to FIG. 11, in the sample measurement unit 1 a, each samplesuch as blood that is the measurement target is mixed with a buffersolution (R1 reagent), and a reagent (R2 reagent) containing magneticparticles supporting a capture antibody that binds with an antigenincluded in the sample is added to the obtained mixture liquid. Themagnetic particles supporting the capture antibody binding with theantigen are drawn to a magnet in the primary BF separator 131 andcomponents in the sample that do not bind with the capture antibody arethereby removed. Next, a labeled antibody (R3 reagent) is further addedand then the magnetic particles supporting the capture antibody bindingwith the labeled antibody and the antigen are drawn to a magnet in thesecondary BF separator 132 and the R3 reagent containing unreactedlabeled antibody is removed. Next, a dispersion solution (R4 reagent)and a fluorescent substrate (R5 reagent) that emits light in a reactionprocess with the labeled antibody are added and then the amount of lightemitted by the reaction between the labeled antibody and the fluorescentsubstrate is measured. The antigen binding with the labeled antibody andincluded in the sample is quantitatively measured through theaforementioned process.

The pipet tip rack setting part 212 supplies the pipet tips C2 to a tipattaching position (not illustrated) of the sample dispensing arm 111one by one. The pipet tip C2 positioned at the tip attaching position isattached to a front end of a pipet (not illustrated) in the sampledispensing arm 111.

The R1 reagent dispensing arm 112 aspirates the R1 reagent set in thereagent setting part 150 and discharges the aspirated R1 reagent intothe cuvette C1 at a reagent discharging position P1 by using a pipet(not illustrated). A not-illustrated catcher positions the cuvette C1 towhich the R1 reagent is discharged at a position P2 for the sample. Thesample dispensing arm 111 aspirates the sample in the sample containertransported from the sample setting unit 4 to a position P3 anddischarges the aspirated sample into the cuvette C1 at the position P2by using the attached pipet tip C2. The not-illustrated catchertransfers this cuvette C1 to the reaction part 120. When the sampledispensing arm 111 completes dispensing of one sample, the pipet tip C2used in the dispensing of this sample is returned to the secondtransport path R.

The R2 reagent dispensing arm 113 aspirates the R2 reagent set in thereagent setting part 150 and discharges the aspirated R2 reagent intothe cuvette C1 containing the R1 reagent and the sample by using a pipet(not illustrated).

The reaction part 120 is formed in an annular shape to surround aperiphery of the reagent setting part 150 and has cuvette settingportions 120 a arranged at predetermined intervals along an outer shape.Moreover, the reaction part 120 is configured to be rotatable and moveseach cuvette setting portion 120 a to process positions where therespective processes (dispensing of reagents and the like) areperformed. The cuvettes C1 set in the cuvette setting portions 120 a areheated to about 42° C. The reaction between the samples and the variousreagents in the cuvettes C1 is thereby promoted.

The not-illustrated catcher transfers the cuvette C1 containing thesample, the R1 reagent, and the R2 reagent from the reaction part 120 tothe primary BF separator 131. The primary BF separator 131 removes thecomponents in the specimen that do not bind with the capture antibody,from the sample in the cuvette C1. The R3 reagent dispensing arm 114aspirates the R3 reagent set in the reagent setting part 150 anddischarges the aspirated R3 reagent into the cuvette C1 transferred fromthe primary BF separator 131 to the reaction part 120 by using a pipet(not illustrated).

The not-illustrated catcher transfers the cuvette C1 containing the R3reagent and the specimen subjected to the removal process by the primaryBF separator 131 from the reaction part 120 to the secondary BFseparator 132. The secondary BF separator 132 removes the R3 reagentcontaining the unreacted labeled antibody. The R4/R5 reagent supplier140 sequentially dispenses the R4 reagent and the R5 reagent into thecuvette C1 containing the specimen subjected to the removal process bythe secondary BF separator 132 by using a not-illustrated tube.

The detector 160 obtains light generated in the reaction process betweenthe fluorescent substrate and the labeled antibody binding with theantigen of the sample contained in the cuvette C1 and subjected to thepredetermined processes with a photo multiplier tube to measure theamount of antigen included in the sample. When the detector 160completes measurement of one sample, the not-illustrated catcher returnsthe cuvette C1 containing this sample to the second transport path R.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of thecuvette supplier 101 and FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of thecuvette supplier 101 as viewed from the side. FIGS. 14B and 14C areperspective views illustrating configurations of a swing rail 523 andtransfer rails 531. Note that x, y, and z directions illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14A to 14C do not necessarily coincide with x, y, and zdirections illustrated in the other drawings.

<21 Transfer of Cuvettes C1>>

First, description is given of steps in which the cuvette supplier 101transfers the cuvettes C1, together with the configuration of thecuvette supplier 101. The cuvettes C1 put into the cuvette supplier 101are transferred to a second storage portion 52 g.

With reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14A, the second storage portion 52 gincludes a second hopper 521, a sensor 522 having a light emittingportion and a light receiving portion, the swing rail 523, and a swingguide 524. A tilted surface is formed on a bottom surface of the secondhopper 521. The cuvettes C1 are transferred from a first storage portion51 g to the second hopper 521 such that several cuvettes C1 are storedin the second hopper 521. The cuvettes C1 transferred from the firststorage portion 51 g are stored one on top of another in order from thebottom surface of the second hopper 521. The sensor 522 detects thecuvette C1 located on the bottom surface of the second hopper 521.

With reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B, the swing rail 523 includes pairedfan-shaped plates 523 a and a spacer 523 b fixed by being held betweenthe paired plates 523 a. An interval d3 between the paired plates 523 a(thickness of the spacer 523 b) is smaller than the diameter d11 of theflange portion C11 of the cuvette C1 and is larger than the diameter d12of the body portion C12. Moreover, a shaft hole 523 c is formed in eachof the paired plates 523 a. The shaft hole 523 c in the plate 523 a onthe y-axis negative direction side is turnably supported from the y-axisnegative direction side and the shaft hole 523 c in the plate 523 a onthe y-axis positive direction side is turnably supported from the y-axispositive direction side. The swing rail 523 can thereby turn about they-axis. Moreover, a notch 523 d is formed in the spacer 523 b and thepaired plates 523 a and the spacer 523 b form a space S1.

The swing guide 524 includes paired fan-shaped plates 524 a in contactwith the outer sides of the swing rail 523 and a spacer 524 b fixed bybeing held between the paired plates 524 a. A shaft hole 524 c is formedin each of the paired plates 524 a and the paired plates 524 a areturnably supported from the y-axis negative direction side and they-axis positive direction side, respectively. The swing guide 524 canthereby turn about the y-axis.

The swing rail 523 and the swing guide 524 configured as described aboveare linked to be integrally turnable. Swinging of the swing rail 523 andthe swing guide 524 causes the cuvettes C1 to pass between the swingrail 523 and the spacer 524 b of the swing guide 524 and be sent out tothe transfer rails 531 of a transfer part 53 g.

With reference to FIG. 13 and FIGS. 14A and 14C, the transfer part 53 gincludes the paired transfer rails 531, a cover 532, and reflectivesensors 533, 534. An interval d4 between the paired transfer rails 531is the same as the interval d3 between the paired plates 523 a. Theinterval d4 provided between the paired transfer rails 531 forms a spaceS2.

The cuvettes C1 sent out by the swing rail 523 and the swing guide 524(hereafter, referred to as “swing part”) slide down along upper edges ofthe paired transfer rails 531 by their own weight and are arranged in aline in order from the lower side of the transfer rails 531. In thiscase, each cuvette C1 is in a state where the body portion C12 entersthe space S2 and only the flange portion C11 is supported on the upperedges of the paired transfer rails 531.

The cover 532 is installed to protect upper portions of the transferrails 531. The sensors 533, 534 are installed near an intermediate stageof the transfer rails 531 and a bottom stage of the transfer rails 531,respectively. The sensor 533 detects the cuvette C1 at a position(intermediate stage position of the transfer rails 531) in front (y-axispositive direction) of the sensor 533 and the sensor 534 detects thecuvette C1 at a position (bottom stage position P4 of the transfer rails531) in front (y-axis positive direction) of the sensor 534.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views illustrating steps in which the swing partsends out the cuvette C1 on the bottom surface of the second hopper 521.First, the swing rail 523 and the swing guide 524 are turned downwardand are positioned at a position illustrated in FIG. 15A. One cuvette C1positioned on the bottom surface of the second hopper 521 is therebydrawn into a space between the swing rail 523 and the spacer 524 b.

Next, the swing rail 523 and the swing guide 524 are turned upward andpositioned at a position illustrated in FIG. 15B. The cuvette C1 drawninto the space between the swing rail 523 and the spacer 524 b therebyslide down along upper edges (end portions facing the spacer 524 b) ofthe paired plates 523 a by its own weight and is sent out onto thepaired transfer rails 531.

When the sliding-down cuvette C1 reaches the space S1, as illustrated inthe cuvette C1 at a position t1, the flange portion C11 is supported onthe upper edges of the paired plates 523 a and the body portion C12enters the space S1. When the cuvette C1 at the position t1 furtherslides down by its own weight, the cuvette C1 is positioned at aposition t2 with the flange portion C11 supported on the upper edges ofthe paired plates 523 a and the body portion C12 entering the space S1as at the position t1. When the cuvette C1 at the position t2 furtherslides down by its own weight, the cuvette C1 is positioned at aposition t3 with the flange portion C11 supported on the paired transferrails 531 and the body portion C12 entering the space S2 as at thepositions t1, t2.

Note that, although the case where the cuvette C1 enters the spacebetween the swing rail 523 and the spacer 524 b with the body portionC12 entering the space first is illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, thecuvette C1 is sent out to the transfer rails 531 in a way similar tothat described above also in the case where the cuvette C1 enters thespace between the swing rail 523 and the spacer 524 b with the flangeportion C11 entering the space first. Specifically, in the cuvette C1approaching the space S1 with the flange portion C11 approaching thespace S1 first, as described above, the flange portion C11 is supportedon the upper edges of the paired plates 523 a and the body portion C12enters the space S1. Accordingly, the cuvette C1 sent out to thetransfer rails 531 is set to a state where the flange portion C11 issupported on the transfer rails 531 as described above.

A cut-out part 54 g stops the cuvette C1 positioned at the bottom of thetransfer rails 531. Moreover, when the cuvette C1 becomes necessary inthe measurement operation, the cut-out part 54 g transports only thecuvette C1, positioned at the bottom among the cuvettes C1 aligned onthe transfer rails 531, to the reagent discharging position P1.

Note that the cuvettes C1 on the transfer rails 531 are aligned up tothe position in front (y-axis positive direction) of the sensor 533 andare not aligned above the position in front of the sensor 533. Moreover,the cover 532 is installed above the transfer rails 531.

<21 Cuvette Catch>>

Next a configuration of a cuvette catch having a function oftransferring the cuvettes C1 in the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b isdescribed by using FIGS. 16A and 16B. FIGS. 16A and 16B are schematicviews illustrating a configuration example of the cuvette catch providedin an arm portion of the transfer part. Note that x, y, and z directionsillustrated in FIGS. 16A to 16D do not necessarily coincide with x, y,and z directions illustrated in the other drawings, as in FIGS. 13 and14A to 14C.

As illustrated in FIG. 16A, in the cuvette catch, an end portion of anarm portion 267 ah on the Y-axis positive side is fixed to a surface ofa support member 267 h on the Z-axis negative side. Accordingly, the armportion 267 ah of the cuvette catch moves in the Y-axis direction withthe movement of the support member 267 h. Paired claws 267 bh areprovided in an end portion of the arm portion 267 ah on the Y-axisnegative side to be capable of coming close to and moving way from eachother in the X-axis direction. A spring 267 ch is laid between thepaired claws 267 bh. The paired claws 267 bh are thereby biased in adirection coming close to each other. As illustrated in FIG. 16A,movements of the paired claws 267 bh are restricted at positions at apredetermined interval and the paired claws 267 bh are positioned atthese positions.

When a motor is driven and the support member 267 h is moved in theY-axis negative direction, the arm portion 267 ah is moved in the Y-axisnegative direction. When the arm portion 267 ah is further moved in theY-axis negative direction from a state where the paired claws 267 bh arein contact with the side surface of the cuvette C1 as illustrated inFIG. 16A, the claws 267 bh slides on the side surface of the cuvette C1and open in the direction moving away from each other. The paired claws267 bh thereby grip the cuvette C1 as illustrated in FIG. 16B. Thespring 267 ch applies force large enough to grip the cuvette C1 to thepaired claws 267 bh. The paired claws 267 bh forms a grip portion thatgrips the cuvette C1. Release of the grip of the cuvette C1 is achievedby, for example, moving the claws 267 bh in the Y-axis positivedirection with the cuvette C1 inserted in a holding portion (notillustrated). The claws 267 bh thereby slides on the side surface of thecuvette C1 and the grip of the cuvette C3 is released. For example, thecuvette C1 after the usage in the sample measurement unit 1 b is housedin the housing part rrb.

<21 Urgent Sample-Tip Transporter 20 h and Sample Dispensing Arm 111>>

Next, configurations of an urgent sample-tip transporter 20 h and thesample dispensing arm 111 included in the sample measurement units 1 a,1 b are described by using FIG. 16C. FIG. 16C is a side viewillustrating a configuration example of the urgent sample-tiptransporter 20 h and the sample dispensing arm 111. Note that the urgentsample-tip transporter 20 h is configured to transport the samplecontainer C3, containing an urgent sample that needs to be tested bycutting into line of samples transported from the sample setting unit 4,to the attachment position of the sample dispensing arm 111. The urgentsample-tip transporter 20 h includes: a linear guide formed of a sliderail 21 h and a slide main body 22 h provided to be movable along theslide rail 21 h; a transport rack 23 h attached to the slide main body22 h; a detection piece 24 h attached to a lower portion of thetransport rack 23 h; and a light block sensor 25 h light to which isblocked by the detection piece 24 h. Moreover, the transport rack 23 his provided with test tube setting portions 23 ah in each of which thesample container C3 containing the urgent sample is placed and a tipsetting portion 23 bh that has a long hole shape and is used to placethe pipet tip C2 supplied from a mechanism 30 h that supplies the pipettip C2. Moreover, the detection piece 24 h is arranged to block light tothe light block sensor 25 h when the transport rack 23 h is arranged ata position where it receives the pipet tip C2 from the mechanism 30 hthat supplies the pipet tip. Then, the transport rack 23 h is movedalong the slide rail 21 h by drive force of a not-illustrated motor andthereby transports the pipet tip C2 and the sample container C3containing the urgent sample to the attachment position of the sampledispensing arm 111.

As illustrated in FIG. 16C, a nozzle portion 111 a in an arm portion ofthe sample dispensing arm 111 is turned to the attachment position andthe arm portion is then moved downward to press fit a front end 111 b ofthe nozzle portion 111 a in the arm portion to the attachment portionC21 of the pipet tip C2. The pipet tip C2 is thereby supplied from themechanism 30 h that supplies the pipet tip C2, to the sample dispensingarm 111.

Next, an operation of removing the pipet tip C2 from the sampledispensing arm 111 is described by using FIG. 16D. FIG. 16D is a sideview for explaining the operation of removing the pipet tip C2 attachedto the sample dispensing arm 111.

The sample dispensing arm 111 to which the pipet tip C2 is attached ismoved upward to bring a lower surface of a release piece 142 h in a tiprelease part 140 h and an upper surface of the attachment portion C21 ofthe pipet tip C2 into contact with each other. Then, as illustrated inFIG. 16D, the sample dispensing arm 111 is moved upward to remove thepipet tip C2 from the front end 111 b of the nozzle portion 111 a in thearm portion. For example, the pipet tip C2 after the usage in the samplemeasurement unit 1 b is housed in the housing part rrb like the cuvetteC1.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are perspective views illustrating a configurationexample of the urgent sample-tip transporter 20 h. As illustrated inFIGS. 17A and 17B, the pipet tip C2 is set in the tip setting portion 23bh of the transport rack 23 h in the urgent sample-tip transporter 20 h.In this case, the light block sensor 25 h detects the detection piece 24h of the urgent sample-tip transporter 20 h and the urgent sample-tiptransporter 20 h is thereby arranged at a position where it can receivethe pipet tip C2.

Then, the pipet tip C2 placed in the tip setting portion 23 bh of thetransport rack 23 h is transported to a position corresponding to theattachment position of the sample dispensing arm 111. Next, the nozzleportion 111 a of the arm portion in the sample dispensing arm 111 isturned to the attachment position and the arm portion is then moveddownward to press fit the front end 111 b of the nozzle portion 111 a inthe arm portion to the attachment portion C21 of the pipet tip C2. Thepipet tip C2 is thereby supplied from the mechanism 30 h that suppliesthe pipet tip C2, to the sample dispensing arm 111.

<21 Sample Transfer Paths KTa, KTb>>

In this section, an operation in which the sample measurement units 1 a,1 b take in the sample racks C30 from the sample transport path KF isdescribed by using FIGS. 18A to 18C. FIGS. 18A to 18C are schematicviews for explaining an example of the sample transport path KF thattransports the sample containers C3 and a mechanism that loads thesample racks C30 from the sample transport path KF in the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b. Note that, although the case where shortpartial transport paths KFa are arranged in a line to form the sampletransport path KF is described as an example in FIGS. 18A to 18C, thepresent invention is not limited to this configuration.

As illustrated in FIGS. 18A to 18C, the sample measurement units 1 a, 1b include, respectively, sample rack storage portions 180 a, 180 b(sample storage portions) that each store the sample racks C30 suppliedfrom the sample transport path KF. Moreover, transfer mechanisms 181 a,181 b (lifting-lowering mechanisms) are provided at positions where thesample dispensing arms 111 dispense the samples in the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b, respectively. The transfer mechanisms 181 a,181 b have a function as partial transport paths KFx. FIG. 18Aillustrates a state where the sample rack is transported to the samplemeasurement unit 1 b with a vacancy in the sample rack storage portion180 b. Note that, in order to surely supply the sample rack C30, thesample measurement unit 1 b may operate a stopper Sb that stops thesample racks C30 on the sample transport path KF and prevent it frompassing by. When there is no vacancy in the sample rack storage portion180 a of the sample measurement unit 1 a, a stopper Sa is not operatedand the sample rack C30 on the sample transport path KF passes by.

Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 18B and 18C, the sample measurement unit 1b loads the sample rack C30 onto the sample rack storage portion 180 bby using the sample transfer path KTb. Like the sample measurement unit1 b, the sample measurement unit 1 a also has a mechanism that loads thesample rack C30 from the sample transport path KF onto the sample rackstorage portion 180 a.

Next, a configuration that transfers the sample rack C30, holding thesample containers C3 containing the samples for which the measurement iscompleted, from each of the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b to thesample collection path KR is described by using FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is aschematic view illustrating an example of the configuration thattransfers the sample rack C30 from each of the sample measurement units1 a, 1 b to the sample collection path KR. Note that, although the casewhere short partial transportation paths KRa are arranged in a line toform the sample collection path KR is described as an example in FIG.19, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

The sample rack C30 holding the sample containers C3 containing thesamples for which the measurement is completed in the case of the samplemeasurement unit 1 b is transferred to the lower stage together with thetransfer mechanism 181 b by a lifting-lowering mechanism and is thentransferred to a position on the sample collection path KR providedbelow the sample transport path KF. Note that, for example, an elevatortype, a slide type, and the like are conceivable as the type of thelifting-lowering mechanism. However, since it not preferable to applyimpact to the sample containers C3 in the transfer of the samples, anelevator mechanism that can transfer the sample containers C3 in theheight direction while maintaining them horizontal is desirable for thetransfer of the sample containers. The transfer mechanism 181 b movedalong the sample transfer path KTb together with the sample rack C30replaces the partial transport path KFx forming the sample collectionpath KR and the transfer of the sample rack C30 to the sample collectionpath KR is thereby completed. Note that the configuration may be suchthat the partial transport path KFx replaced by the transfer mechanism181 b is moved in the case of the sample measurement unit 1 b tofunction as the transfer mechanism 181 b in the sample measurement unit1 b.

<Consumable Setting Unit 2>

FIGS. 20A to 20D are perspective views illustrating a schematicconfiguration of the consumable setting unit 2. As illustrated in FIGS.20A to 20D, opening portions 20KF1, 20KR1 are formed in a left sidesurface of the consumable setting unit 2. The left side surface of theconsumable setting unit 2 is a surface on the side facing the samplesorting unit 3. The sample container or the sample rack C30 transportedfrom the sample setting unit 4 through the sample transport path KFenters the consumable setting unit 2 from the opening portion 20KF1. Thesample container or the sample rack C30 used in the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b is discharged from the opening portion 20KR1 to thesample collection path KR.

Meanwhile, opening portions 20F2, 20R2, 21F2, 21R2, 20KF2, 20KR2 areformed in a right side surface of the consumable setting unit 2. Theright side surface of the consumable setting unit 2 is a surface on theside facing the sample measurement unit 1 a. The consumables to be usedin the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b are discharged from the openingportions 20F2, 21F2 to the first transport paths F. Specifically, thecuvette C1 and the pipet tip C2 to be used in the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b are discharged respectively from the opening portions20F2, 21F2 to the first transport paths F.

The consumables used in the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b enter theconsumable setting unit 2 from the opening portions 20R2, 21R2 by beingtransported through the second transport paths R. Specifically, thecuvette C1 and the pipet tip C2 used in the sample measurement units 1a, 1 b enter the consumable setting unit 2 respectively from the openingportions 20R2, 21R2 by being transported through the second transportpaths R.

The sample container or the sample rack C30 to be used in the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b is discharged from the opening portion 20KF2to the sample transport path KF. The sample rack C30 holding the samplecontainers C3 containing the samples measured in the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b enter the consumable setting unit 2 from opening portion20KR2 by being transported through the sample collection path KR.

The consumable setting unit 2 is a unit that holds the consumables to beused in the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b. The consumable settingunit 2 houses the cuvettes C1 and the pipet tips C2 to be used in thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b into the consumable racks C10, C20 anddischarges the cuvettes C1 and the pipet tips C2 to the first transportpaths F.

The consumable setting unit 2 has the case and, as illustrated in FIGS.20A to 20D, the inside of the case is divided into multiple levels inthe height direction. An upper level portion of the inside of the caseis provided with the consumable rack setting part 21 in which the usersets the consumables and the consumable racks C10, C20 for holding theconsumables and the consumable rack collector 22 that holds thecollected empty consumable racks C10, C20 (that is, holding noconsumables).

A window 23 is a window through which the user can see the sample rackC30 transported from the sample setting unit 4 by the sample transportpath KF. A window 24 is a window through which the user can see thesample rack C30 transported from the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 bby the sample collection path KR.

A lower level portion of the inside of the case is provided with theconsumable accumulation part 26 and the used reagent containeraccumulation part 25. The consumable accumulation part 26 is a containerin which the consumables that have been used in the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b and become used consumables are collected. The usedreagent container accumulation part 25 is a container in which thereagent containers that have become empty by being used in any of thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b are collected.

The consumable accumulation part 26 is configured to be drawn out in theY-axis positive direction by the user. The user can thereby easily takeout and dispose the consumables collected in the consumable accumulationpart 26.

A bottom surface of the used reagent container accumulation part 25 istilted such that the height decreases in the Y-axis positive direction.Since the reagent containers collected in the used reagent containeraccumulation part 25 moves toward the front surface side along thistilt, the user can easily take out the reagent containers from the usedreagent container accumulation part 25.

<Sample Setting Unit 4>

The sample setting unit 4 is a unit that holds the samples to besubjected to the measurement performed in the sample measurement units 1a, 1 b.

FIGS. 21A to 21D are perspective views illustrating a schematicconfiguration of the sample setting unit 4. As illustrated in FIGS. 21Ato 21D, opening portions 40KF, 40KR, 40KRx, 40KRy are formed in a rightside surface of the sample setting unit 4. The right side surface of thesample setting unit 4 is a surface on the side facing the sample sortingunit 3. The sample container or the sample rack C30 to be used in thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b is discharged from the opening portion40KF to the sample transport path KF. The sample rack C30 holding thesample containers C3 containing the samples measured in the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b enter the sample setting unit 4 from theopening portion 40KR by being transported through the sample collectionpath KR.

The sample container C3 or the sample rack C3 sorted as “remeasurementsample” in the sample sorting unit 3 enters the sample setting unit 4from the opening portion 40KRx by being transported through aremeasurement sample transport path KRx. The sample rack C30 sorted as“measured sample” in the sample sorting unit 3 enters the sample settingunit 4 from the opening portion 40KRy by being transported through ameasured sample transport path KRy.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 22, the sample setting unit 4 includesa cart 43 that holds the sample racks C30. The cart 43 is housed insidethe sample setting unit 4. The cart 43 has casters 44 and is easilypulled out from the case of the sample setting unit 4. An upper stage ofthe cart 43 is the sample rack setting part 41 and a lower stage is thesample rack collector 42. The laboratory technician or the like who usesthe sample measurement system 100 can pull out the cart 43 from thesample setting unit and easily perform works such as placing the samplerack C30 housing the samples to be processed on the upper stage of thecart 43 and taking out the sample containers C3 containing the measuredsamples from the lower stage of the cart 43.

<Sample Sorting Unit 3>

The sample sorting unit 3 is a functional unit that has a function ofsorting the samples after the measurement based on results of processingin the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b.

FIGS. 23A to 23D are perspective views illustrating a schematicconfiguration of the sample sorting unit 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 23Ato 23D, opening portion 30KF1, 30KRx, 30KRy are formed in a left sidesurface of the sample sorting unit 3. The left side surface of thesample sorting unit 3 is a surface on the side facing the sample settingunit 4. The sample container or the sample rack C30 transported from thesample setting unit 4 through the sample transport path KF enters thesample sorting unit 3 from the opening portion 30KF1. The samplecontainer or the sample rack C30 determined to be “remeasurement sample”or “retest required sample” by the sample sorting unit 3 is dischargedfrom the opening portion 30KRx to the remeasurement sample transportpath KRx. The sample container or the sample rack C30 determined to be“measured sample” by the sample sorting unit 3 is discharged from theopening portion 40KRy to the measured sample transport path KRy.

Meanwhile, openings 30KF2, 30KR2 are formed in a right side surface ofthe sample sorting unit 3. The right side surface of the sample sortingunit 3 is a surface on the side facing the consumable setting unit 2.The sample container or the sample rack C30 to be used in the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b are discharged from the opening portion 30KF2to the sample transport path KF. The sample rack C30 holding the samplecontainers C3 containing the samples measured in the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b enters the sample sorting unit 3 from the opening portion30KR2 by being transported through the sample collection path KR.

Next, a method of sorting the samples performed by the sample sortingunit 3 is described by using FIG. 24. The sample sorting unit 3 sortsthe samples into “measured samples,” “remeasurement samples,” and“retest required samples” according to instructions from the informationmanagement device 7. The information management device 7 obtains ameasurement result for each sample from the sample measurement units 1a, 1 b and determines which one of “measured samples,” “remeasurementsamples,” and “retest required samples” the sample is to be sorted asbased on comparison between the measurement result and a predeterminedsorting criterion. Note that the configuration may be such that, insteadof the information management device 7, the sample sorting unit 3performs the determination of sorting of the sample racks C30.

For example, the sample sorting unit 3 sorts the sample rack C30,holding only the sample containers C3 containing the samples for whichthe measurement is normally completed, as “measured samples.” The samplerack C30 sorted as the “measured samples” is transported from themeasured sample transport path KRy to the sample setting unit 4.

For example, when the sample rack C30 holds at least one samplecontainer containing a sample whose measurement value deviates from anormal value by a predetermined criterion range or more, the samplesorting unit 3 sorts this sample rack C30 as “remeasurement samples.”The sample rack C30 sorted as “remeasurement samples” is transportedfrom the remeasurement sample transport path KRx to the sample settingunit 4 and then transported from the sample setting unit 4 to the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b again.

For example, the sample sorting unit 3 sorts the sample rack C30satisfying the following conditions (1) and (2) as “retest requiredsamples.” The sample rack C30 sorted as “retest required samples” istransferred from a sorter 32 to a retest required sample storage part 31of the sample sorting unit. The sample rack C30 transferred to theretest required sample storage part 31 is held in the retest requiredsample storage part 31 until being taken out by the user such as thelaboratory technician.

Like the sample setting unit 4, the sample sorting unit 3 also includesa cart 33 that holds the sample racks C30. The cart 33 is housed insidethe sample sorting unit 3. The cart 33 includes casters 34 and is easilypulled out from the case of the sample sorting unit 3. The user canthereby easily take out the sample racks C30 stored in the retestrequired sample storage part 31.

(1) The degree of deviation of the measurement value from the normalvalue is less than the predetermined criterion range.

(2) The sample rack C30 holds at least one sample for which obtaining ofa sample from a subject again is desirable or for which check work bythe laboratory technician is to be requested.

For example, when chyle is found in the sample, a measurement valuerelating to an immune system test may be affected. For the sample inwhich chyle is recognized, it is necessary to obtain a sample from thesubject again or to perform measurement right after the sample iscentrifuged to surely separate the chyle in the sample from plasma. Suchsamples and the like fall into the category of “retest required samples”described above.

Note that the number of functional units included in the samplemeasurement system 100 is not limited to that in the example illustratedin FIG. 1. For example, the number of sample setting units 4 and thenumber of sample sorting units 3 may each be one or two or more.However, it is desirable that the number of the sample setting units 4and the number of sample sorting units 3 are determined such that thereis no difference between the total number of samples that can be held bythe sample setting units 4 and that by the sample sorting units 3. Whenthe number of samples that can be held by each sample setting unit 4 isequal to the number of samples that can be held by each sample sortingunit 3, the numbers of the respective types of units included in thesample measurement system 100 are desirably the same.

<Reagent Container Holding Unit 5>

The reagent container holding unit 5 is a functional unit that holds thereagent containers containing the reagents to be used in the measurementby the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b. A configuration of the reagentcontainer holding unit 5 is described by using FIGS. 25A to 25D. FIGS.25A to 25D are perspective views illustrating a schematic configurationof the reagent container holding unit 5.

As illustrated in FIGS. 25A to 25D, an opening portion 50LF for thecontainer transport path LF that transports the reagent containers isprovided in a left side surface of the reagent container holding unit 5.

<21 Transport of Reagent Containers, Collection of Used ReagentContainers>>

The information management device 7 sends the reagent container holdingunit 5 information (for example, the aforementioned reagent IDs) on thereagent containers to be supplied to the sample measurement units 1 a, 1b and the reagent container holding unit 5 takes out the reagentcontainers to which the target reagent IDs are assigned and transfersthem to the container transport path LF.

The reagent containers taken out by the reagent container holding unit 5are transported from the reagent container holding unit 5 to the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b through the container transport path LF thatis a transport path dedicated to reagent containers.

The information management device 7 sends the sample measurement units 1a, 1 b information (for example, the aforementioned reagent IDs) on thereagent containers to be collected. The sample measurement units 1 a, 1b determines the reagent containers to be collected based on the reagentIDs, takes out the reagent containers and transfers the reagentcontainers to predetermined positions. In this case, the reagentcontainers to be collected are reagent containers emptied in the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b, the reagent containers containing expiredreagents, and the like.

When the reagents R1 to R5 are reagents that require refrigerationstorage, the reagent container holding unit 5 has a function as acooling box and the reagents R1 to R5 in the reagent containers held inthe case of the reagent container holding unit 5 are maintained atpredetermined temperature. For example, the reagent container holdingunit 5 holds the reagent containers containing the reagent R1 to R5 at 2to 8° C. Note that, when the reagent containers are to be dischargedfrom the reagent container holding unit 5 to the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b, the reagent containers are exposed to room temperaturein the transport. In consideration of this, the temperature at which thereagent container holding unit 5 holds the reagent containers isdesirably set to lower temperature. Alternatively, the reagentcontainers containing the reagents R1 to R5 may be manufactured by usinga material less likely to be affected by temperature of outside air.

FIG. 26 is a view for explaining an example of a mechanism thattransfers the reagent containers to the container transport path LF inthe reagent container holding unit 5.

The reagent container holding unit 5 includes a reagent container shelfon which the reagent containers of the respective reagents are arranged,a clamp-equipped arm 51 a for gripping and moving each reagent containeron the reagent container shelf to place the reagent container at apredetermined position, and a rail R for moving the clamp-equipped arm51 a.

The clamp-equipped arm 51 a can move upward and downward along the railR to grip the reagent container placed at a position Q on each reagentcontainer shelf and transfer the reagent container to a position P. Thereagent container transferred to the position P is transported to thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b through the container transport pathLF.

<Cleaning Liquid Holding Unit 6>

The sample measurement system 100 may have a function of automaticallycleaning flow paths, nozzles, and the like in the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b through which the reagents R1 to R5 flow. In this case,the sample measurement system 100 may include the cleaning liquidholding unit 6 in addition to the aforementioned units. The cleaningliquid holding unit 6 is functional unit that holds a cleaning liquidused to clean the flow paths in the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b.

In this section, a configuration of the cleaning liquid holding unit 6is described by using FIGS. 27A and 27B. FIGS. 27A and 27B areperspective views illustrating a schematic configuration of the cleaningliquid holding unit 6. The cleaning liquid holding unit 6 holds cleaningliquid containers 61 that contain the cleaning liquid and cleaningliquid pumps 62 that aspirate the cleaning liquid from the cleaningliquid containers 61. Cleaning liquid supply flow paths (notillustrated) that allow the cleaning liquid to be supplied topredetermined flow paths, nozzles, and the like in the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b are provided between the cleaning liquidholding unit 6 and the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b.

The cleaning liquid holding unit 6 also includes a cart 63 in which thecleaning liquid containers 61 are placed. The cart 63 is housed insidethe cleaning liquid holding unit 6. The cart 63 includes casters 64 andis easily pulled out from the case of the cleaning liquid holding unit6. The user can thereby easily place the cleaning liquid containers 61in the cleaning liquid holding unit 6.

Opening-closing valves (not illustrated) are provided in the cleaningliquid flow paths. The information management device 7 can control theopening-closing valves together with the cleaning liquid pumps 62. Whenthe sample measurement system 100 has such a configuration, for example,the information management device 7 manages information such as cleaningliquid remaining amounts in the cleaning liquid containers held in thecleaning liquid holding unit 6 and the number of times cleaningprocessing is performed in each of the sample measurement units 1 a, 1b.

While the measurement is performed in the sample measurement units 1 a,1 b, the information management device 7 maintains a closed state toprevent the cleaning liquid from flowing into the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b. For example, when the sample measurement unit 1 acompletes the measurement for all samples or when the sample measurementunit 1 a completes the measurement a predetermined number of times, theinformation management device 7 may switch the valve provided in thecleaning liquid supply flow paths to the sample measurement unit 1 a toan open state and cause the cleaning liquid pump to operate. Thecleaning liquid is thereby automatically delivered to the predeterminedflow path and the nozzle when the sample measurement unit 1 a completesthe measurement for all samples or when the sample measurement unit 1 acompletes the measurement a predetermined number of times, and smearingand clogging of the flow path can be thus prevented.

Note that, when the volume of the cleaning liquid contained in thecleaning liquid containers held in the cleaning liquid holding unit 6 islarge enough to perform the processing a predetermined number of times,the information management device 7 may manage information indicatingthe number of times the cleaning is performed in the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b since the cleaning liquid containers 61 are housed in thecleaning liquid holding unit 6.

Note that the information management device 7 and the controllers of therespective functional units in the sample measurement system 100 may beimplemented by software or a logical circuit (hardware) formed in anintegral circuit (IC chip) or the like.

In the latter case, the information management device 7 and thecontrollers of the respective functional units in the sample measurementsystem 100 include a computer configured to execute commands of aprogram that is software for implementing the functions. The computerincludes, for example, one or more processors and a computer-readablestorage medium storing the aforementioned program. Then, in theaforementioned computer, the aforementioned processor reads theaforementioned program from the aforementioned storage medium andexecutes the program to achieve an object of the present invention. Forexample, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used as theaforementioned processor. A “non-temporary tangible medium,” forexample, a ROM (Read Only Memory) as well as a tape, a disc, a card, asemiconductor memory, a programmable logical circuit, and the like canbe used as the aforementioned storage medium. Moreover, the computer mayfurther include units such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) fordeveloping the aforementioned program. Furthermore, the aforementionedprogram may be supplied to the aforementioned computer via anytransmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, or the like)that can transmit the program. Note that one aspect of the presentinvention may also be implemented in a form of data signals embedded ina carrier wave in which the aforementioned program is implemented byelectronic transmission.

Embodiment 2

Another embodiment of the present invention is described below. Notethat, for the sake of description, members having the same functions asthe members described in the aforementioned embodiment are denoted bythe same reference signs and description thereof is not repeated.

The sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b cannot perform the measurement ofthe samples when the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b run out of any ofthe consumables, samples, and reagents. For example, when failure occursin any of the first transport paths F, the second transport path KF, thereagent container transport path LF, and the like included in the samplemeasurement system 100, the supply of consumables, samples, and reagentsto the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b stops. In this case, themeasurement of the samples in the sample measurement system 100 stopsuntil the failure in the first transport paths F, the sample transportpath KF, the reagent container transport path LF, or the like is solved.

The number of sample processes performed in hospitals and testinstitutions are increasing in recent years and the hospitals and testinstitutions are likely to introduce the sample measurement system 100with many (for example, five or ten) sample measurement units. However,increasing the number of sample measurement units increases the lengthof the first transport paths F, the sample transport path KF, and thereagent container transport path LF. Accordingly, frequency of a failureoccurring in the first transport paths F, the sample transport path KF,and the reagent container transport path LF may increase.

Thus, the sample measurement system 100 desirably has such aconfiguration that, even when the supply of consumables, samples, andreagents from these transport paths to the sample measurement units 1 a,1 b stops, the measurement does not have to be immediately stopped andcan continue.

(Case Where Supply of Consumable Racks C10, C20 from First TransportPaths F to Sample Measurement Units 1 a, 1 b Stops)

The sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b include, respectively, consumablerack storage portions 182 a, 182 b (see FIGS. 18A to 18C) that store theconsumable racks C10, C20 supplied from the first transfer paths F, andeach include the cuvette supplier 101, the pipet tip supplier 102 (seeFIG. 11), and the urgent sample-tip transporter 20 h that receive thesupply of consumables from paths different from the first transportpaths F.

When the supply of consumables from the first transport paths F stopsduring the measurement of the samples in the sample measurement units 1a, 1 b, the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b can continue themeasurement of the samples by using the consumables held in theconsumable racks C10, C20 stored in the consumable rack storage portions182 a, 182 b and the consumables supplied to the cuvette suppliers 101and the pipet tip suppliers 102.

The sample measurement system 100 can thereby continue the processingwithout immediately stopping the measurement even when the supply of theconsumables from the first transfer paths F to the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b stops. Accordingly, the measurement of the samples cancontinue in the state where no consumables are supplied from theconsumable setting unit 2 and the downtime can be reduced.

(Case Where Supply of Sample Containers from Second Transport Path KF toSample Measurement Units 1 a, 1 b Stops)

As illustrated in FIGS. 18A to 18C, the sample measurement units 1 a, 1b include, respectively, the sample rack storage portions 180 a and 180b that store the sample racks C30 holding the samples from the sampletransport path KF and sample holding portions 183 a, 183 b that hold thesamples from paths different from the sample transport path KF. Forexample, the case where the laboratory technician or the like who usesthe sample measurement system 100 manually sets the sample racks C30directly into the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b can be given as thepaths different from the sample transport path KF.

When the supply of samples from the sample transport path KF stopsduring the measurement of the samples in the sample measurement units 1a, 1 b, the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b may continue themeasurement of the samples by using the samples stored in the samplerack storage portions 180 a and 180 b and the samples held in the sampleholding portions 183 a, 183 b.

The sample measurement system 100 can thereby continue the measurementof the samples without immediately stopping the measurement even whenthe supply of samples from the sample transport path KF to the samplemeasurement units 1 a, 1 b stops. Accordingly, the measurement cancontinue in the state where no samples are supplied from the samplesetting unit 4 and the downtime can be reduced.

(Case Where Supply of Reagent Containers from Second Transport Path LFto Sample Measurement Units 1 a, 1 b Stops)

Sample Measurement Units 1 a, 1 b are configured to store multiplereagent containers of each of the reagents R1 to R5 in its case.

When the supply of reagent containers from the container transport pathLF stops during the measurement of the samples in the sample measurementunits 1 a, 1 b, the sample measurement units 1 a, 1 b may continue themeasurement of the samples by using the reagent containers of thereagents R1 to R5 stored in the case.

The sample measurement system 100 can continue the measurement of thesamples without immediately stopping the measurement even when thesupply of reagent containers from the container transport path LF to thesample measurement units 1 a, 1 b stops. Accordingly, the measurement ofthe samples can continue in the state where no reagent containers aresupplied from the reagent container holding unit 5 and the downtime canbe reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described aboveand various changes can be made within a scope described in the claims.Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical meansdisclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technicalscope of the present invention.

-   1 a, 1 b sample measurement unit-   2 consumable setting unit (setting part, rack setting unit)-   3 sample sorting unit-   4 sample setting unit (rack setting unit)-   5 reagent container holding unit-   6 cleaning liquid holding unit-   7 information management device-   21 consumable rack setting part (setting part)-   22 consumable rack collector (collector)-   26 consumable accumulation part-   41 sample rack setting part-   42 sample rack collector-   101 cuvette supplier-   102 pipet tip supplier-   180 a, 180 b sample rack storage portion-   181 a, 181 b transfer mechanism (lifting-lowering mechanism)-   182 a, 182 b consumable rack storage portion (consumable storage    portion)-   C1 cuvette-   C2 pipet tip-   C3 sample container-   C10, C20 consumable rack-   C30 sample rack-   F first transport path-   R second transport path (empty rack transport path)-   KF sample transport path-   KR sample collection path (sample rack collection path)-   LF reagent container transport path-   LR used reagent container transport path-   RR consumable collection path-   Ta, Tb consumable transfer path-   KTa, KTb sample transfer path-   LTa, LTb reagent container transfer path

1. A sample measurement system comprising: sample measurement units thatperform measurement on samples by using consumables; a setting part inwhich a user sets consumable racks housing the consumables; a firsttransport path that supplies the consumable racks set in the settingpart to one of the sample measurement units; a collector that isarranged adjacent to the setting part and that collects empty racks thatare emptied after being transported to at least one of the samplemeasurement units; and a second transport path that transports the emptyracks to the collector.
 2. The sample measurement system according toclaim 1, wherein the first transport path and the second transport pathare provided in cases of the sample measurement units.
 3. The samplemeasurement system according to claim 1, further comprising a consumablecollection path that collects the consumables, used after beingtransported to at least one of the sample measurement units, into thesetting part.
 4. The sample measurement system according to claim 3,wherein the setting part comprises a consumable accumulation part inwhich the consumables transported by using the consumable collectionpath are accumulated.
 5. The sample measurement system according toclaim 1, wherein the sample measurement units comprise consumablestorage portions that store the consumables supplied from the firsttransport path, and in response to supplying of the consumables from thefirst transport path to the sample measurement units stops, the samplemeasurement units perform measurement on the samples by using theconsumables stored in the consumable storage portions.
 6. The samplemeasurement system according to claim 1, further comprising aninformation management device that is communicably connected to each ofthe setting part and the sample measurement units and that manages asupply state of the consumables from the first transport path to each ofthe sample measurement units, wherein In response to the consumablesbeing not supplied from the setting part to at least one of the samplemeasurement units, the information management device causes theconsumable racks to be supplied to the sample measurement unit to whichthe consumables are not supplied.
 7. The sample measurement systemaccording to claim 6, wherein the information management device gives atransport instruction to the setting part such that the consumables aresupplied to each of the sample measurement units.
 8. The samplemeasurement system according to claim 7, wherein rack identificationinformation is assigned to each of the consumable racks, the settingpart sends the information management device the rack identificationinformation of the consumable rack transported to the first transportpath in response to the transport instruction, and the informationmanagement device determines whether the consumable rack to which thereceived rack identification information is assigned is supplied to thesample measurement unit.
 9. The sample measurement system according toclaim 1, wherein the consumables are disposable parts.
 10. The samplemeasurement system according to claim 1, wherein the consumables are anyof pipet tips, cuvettes, reagent containers, petri dishes, well plates,glass slides, glass substrates, and syringe needles.
 11. The samplemeasurement system according to claim 2, further comprising a consumablecollection path that collects the consumables, used after beingtransported to at least one of the sample measurement units, into thesetting part.
 12. The sample measurement system according to claim 11,wherein the setting part comprises a consumable accumulation part inwhich the consumables transported by using the consumable collectionpath are accumulated.
 13. The sample measurement system according toclaim 11, wherein the sample measurement units comprise consumablestorage portions that store the consumables supplied from the firsttransport path, and in response to supplying of the consumables from thefirst transport path to the sample measurement units stops, the samplemeasurement units perform measurement on the samples by using theconsumables stored in the consumable storage portions.
 14. The samplemeasurement system according to claim 11, further comprising aninformation management device that is communicably connected to each ofthe setting part and the sample measurement units and that manages asupply state of the consumables from the first transport path to each ofthe sample measurement units, wherein In response to the consumablesbeing not supplied from the setting part to at least one of the samplemeasurement units, the information management device causes theconsumable racks to be supplied to the sample measurement unit to whichthe consumables are not supplied.
 15. The sample measurement systemaccording to claim 14, wherein the information management device gives atransport instruction to the setting part such that the consumables aresupplied to each of the sample measurement units.
 16. The samplemeasurement system according to claim 15, wherein rack identificationinformation is assigned to each of the consumable racks, the settingpart sends the information management device the rack identificationinformation of the consumable rack transported to the first transportpath in response to the transport instruction, and the informationmanagement device determines whether the consumable rack to which thereceived rack identification information is assigned is supplied to thesample measurement unit.
 17. The sample measurement system according toclaim 2, wherein the consumables are disposable parts.
 18. The samplemeasurement system according to claim 2, wherein the consumables are anyof pipet tips, cuvettes, reagent containers, petri dishes, well plates,glass slides, glass substrates, and syringe needles.
 19. A method oftransporting racks in which consumable racks housing consumables aresupplied to sample measurement units that perform measurement on samplesby using the consumables and in which empty racks that are emptied afterbeing transported to at least one of the sample measurement units arecollected from the sample measurement unit; the method comprising:supplying the consumable racks housing the consumables from a settingpart to one of the sample measurement units, the setting part being apart in which a user sets the consumable racks; collecting the emptyracks that are emptied after being transported to at least one of thesample measurement units into a collector arranged adjacent to thesetting part; and transporting the empty racks to the collector.